YAG Capsulotomy Laser
In about 10 to 50 percent of patients who have a cataract removed, the capsule becomes cloudy several months or years after the original surgery. Often this condition is referred to as a “secondary cataract.” However, this does not mean that the patient has another cataract; it is only the capsule — not the artificial lens — that has become cloudy.
If this cloudiness blurs your vision, a clear opening can be painlessly made in the center of the posterior capsule membrane with a YAG laser. This procedure is done on an outpatient basis in about 15 minutes, without injections.
Selective Laser Trabeculoplasty
Selective laser trabeculoplasty, or SLT, is a laser procedure for the treatment of open-angle glaucoma. SLT is an advanced treatment option that lowers eye pressure and increases fluid drainage. It is minimally-invasive and uses low levels of energy to selectively pinpoint the areas of the trabecular meshwork, relieving the symptoms of glaucoma. If needed, the procedure can be repeated several times without causing damage to surrounding tissue.
Advantages of SLT for Glaucoma
Performed as an in-office procedure, SLT takes just a few minutes yet provides long-term results. Other advantages of the SLT procedure include:
– Selective targeting of areas within the trabecular meshwork
– Minimal damage to surrounding tissue
– Reduction of intraocular pressure (IOP) by about 30 percent
– Minimal side effects
– Procedure can be repeated
SLT controls glaucoma symptoms for up to 5 years with no need for additional medication, and relieves symptoms by promoting the body’s natural healing response.
Laser Peripheral Iridotomy
When the passageway to the drains of the eye becomes narrow, among the first steps in preventing it from closing completely is placement of a laser peripheral iridotomy. In this procedure, laser energy is used to make a small hole in the iris, the coloured tissue in the front of the eye. Often this hole helps alter anatomy inside the eye to maintain a more open passageway to the drains of the eye. It’s important to understand that the drains in the eye and the passageway to them are different. It is possible to have poor flow through the drains of the eye as well as a narrow passageway to them. The purpose of this procedure is ensure that fluid produced inside the eye may get to the drainage system.
Laser for the retina
It can be used in diabetic patients when retinal oedema is present with focal treatments or when there are new vessels that could bleed and in these cases a panretinal treatment is performed.
In patients who have a hole in the retina or a retinal tear to “weld” the retina and avoid a retinal detachment.
In the event of occlusion of the retinal venous circulation, ischaemic areas or new vessels can form. In these cases the laser is applied in the retinal periphery.
The treatment lasts 5-10 minutes after application of anaesthetic drops and is painless.
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